Orchard Homes Hopeful for Approval in Southampton on June 7th

Southampton City Council are set to make a decision on an £11 million development at the city's Civic Centre on June 7th.

Orchard Homes have submitted plans to demolish an office block on a site near Watts Park and they're looking to build a 12-storey student block in its place. If given permission to build, the block will house up to 200 students and will feature a cinema, gym and multiple study areas.

Despite being recommended for approval by planning officers, the 37-metre tall proposal has come up against opposition from local residents who think the development will be too tall for the area. Residents have also argued that due to the current density of students in the Polygon area, adding more students will further unbalance the community.

Mark Sennett of Orchard Homes has defended the development however, saying "The application has been submitted in response to a clear and ongoing need for purpose-built student accommodation that can serve both Southampton University (SU) and Southampton Solent University (SSU). The location is perfect in that, not only, is it within walking distance of SSU and on convenient bus routes to the SU Highfield Campus, but it is at the heart of the city centre in close proximity to the amenities that it offers and Southampton Central Station."

Image courtesy of Flickr, Creative Commons